“I am proud to announce that the House has approved $60 million for transportation projects in Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District,” said Ross. “This funding will be used to construct new roads and highways, and make much-needed improvements and repairs to our current infrastructures that our communities so desperately need. This funding will also help our economy here at home by creating jobs for the construction of these projects and economic opportunities for the future. Obtaining this funding further demonstrates my commitment to being an economic ambassador for Arkansas.”   

The following is a list of Fourth District projects included in H.R. 3: 

Widen to 5 lanes and make other improvements to University Avenue from Martha Mitchell Expressway past the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 
 $3.2 million 

Widen to 4 lanes and make other improvements to U.S. Highway 167 from LA through El Dorado state line and North to I-530 (will create first 4-lane access road for El Dorado residents)  

$5.0 million
 
Make improvements to Higdon Ferry Road (State Highway 88) in Hot Springs, which will ease congestion and provide alternate North-South route through town 
 
 $4 million
 
Develop U.S. Highway 71 (I-49) to Interstate standards on new location between Mena, AR and LA state line. 
 $3.16 million 

Develop a railroad overpass connecting U.S. Highway 67 and U.S. Highway 371 in Prescott. 
 
 $2.64 million
 
Construct Interstate 530 on new location from Pine Bluff to the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 in Wilmar 
 $40 million
 
         TOTAL: 
 $60 million

Congress renews the Transportation Reauthorization Bill every six years, which primarily provides “discretionary” resources over a six-year period for the purpose of funding smaller, local road projects, Interstates, highways, and state highway departments.   

It is important to note that the passage of the House bill that contains $60 million for Fourth District projects is only the first phase of this funding authorization becoming law. After the Senate passes its version of the bill, the bill will go to conference committee, where House and Senate negotiators will work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. During conference committee, which is expected to meet in a few weeks, funding for high-priority corridors, such as I-49, I-69 and possibly additional funding for I-530, will be considered. The measure must then be voted on again by both chambers and sent to the President for his signature.